LAST blog post (from Europe)

Barge moving up the Rhine River in Koblenz

Leaving on a jet plane tomorrow morning (though today's flight left two hours late). I am determined to keep blogging going forward, though it may be from Griffith Park instead of Nepal or Germany.

It's been a great trip, though a little less epic than going back to the Nepalese village where I served in the Peace Corps right out of college. Who can top that? Overall, Ireland and Germany have been good destinations for traveling. World travel is not always relaxing nor was it meant to be. But it can stretch your horizons beyond the bubble that is L.A.

I'm not an expert in German (far from it), but "Genau" (translated as exactly) is the most common response to a statement. One sided cell phone conversations can consist of one person listening to their cell phone and repeating "Genau!" Is that super-supportive or what? Wouldn't you like your friends to respond to your statements, not with "Okay" or "Uh-Huh" but instead "Exactly"? If you want to be a more supportive listener, just try it! (Genau!)

Entering the lock

The lock closed

Water draining from the lock and the ship lowering

That "sinking feeling" (overheard remark)

Castle on the hills by the Mosel River (1100 A.D.)

Rescue equipment for saving drowners

The lock opening